Asclepius may head for coast

David Polkinghorne   Len Hodgson-trained horse could target the coastal cups after winning the Cooma Cup on Saturday.

Independent national racing commission needed for sport to thrive

Chris Roots   Racing in Australia needs to follow the example of other major sports and move towards an independent national commission to make sure the sport thrives into the future.

Trainer Gerald Ryan could set up Melbourne stable

Patrick Bartley   Arguably one of Australia's finest racehorse trainers is considering turning the clock back 20 years to form a Melbourne team.

Kody Nestor to undergo surgery after horrific fall in the Mudgee Gold Cup

Ben Walker   DUBBO jockey Kody Nestor will undergo surgery this week on shoulder injuries suffered in Friday's horrific fall in the Mudgee Gold Cup (1600m).

Murray starts new chemo treatment ahead of Rafha's Choice's big day

Chris Roots   Bede Murray will move to the next phase of his cancer treatment this week but is determine it won't keep him from Randwick on Saturday to see unbeaten Rafha's Choice chase the big bucks in the Inglis Nursey.

Wild Rain warming up for Magic Millions run

Andrew Garvey   They both have the spectre of cobalt inquiries hanging over their heads but Peter Moody and Mark Kavanagh are taking aim at the $10 million Magic Millions raceday at the Gold Coast in January after success at Sandown on Saturday.

Beriman lands double at Sandown

Andrew Garvey   Time is her enemy but Jackie Beriman is still hopeful she can outride her claim before her completes her apprenticeship on January 2.

Devendra the Inter Dominion surprise packet

Chris Roots   Days out from the Inter Dominion in Perth Devendra was not even in the series, heading into next Sunday's final, he is the $4.50 second favourite after a remarkable win in the final heat.

Godolphin farewell Ward with winning treble

Chris Roots   Godolphin farewelled assistant trainer Tom Ward in style with a winning treble at Randwick on Saturday producing a Golden Slipper contender and a couple of others that returned to form.

Bigger country clubs in pole position

Adam Pengilly   The split up of country racing's multi-million bonanza thanks to the state's recently announced tax parity is likely to be concentrated on the bush's bigger clubs, according to Racing NSW Country chairman Bob Pavitt.

'Hugh Hefner of racing' in contention

Adam Pengilly   Godolphin's Astern, dubbed the "Hugh Hefner of racing", rocketed into Golden Slipper calculations at the same time his closest rival Niccolance made a beeline for the exit during a drama-charged opener at Randwick on Saturday.

New whip rule starts without any fuss

Adam Pengilly   The first week of the new whip rules have past without much fuss, but chief steward Ray Murrihy was still keeping a close eye on jockeys use of the persuader.

McDonald on the prowl before Hong Kong

Adam Pengilly   Kris Lees and James McDonald may have the Hong Kong Cup at front of mind for differing reasons, but the pair combined to help the jockey to a four-timer at Randwick on Saturday.

Tiny Tim has last laugh with first city runner

Adam Pengilly   Nothing like a woman scorned? Tim McIntosh would have been forgiven for thinking so, but the young trainer had the last laugh with a winner at his first city runner.

All five riders conscious after horrific fall in Mudgee Cup

Adam Pengilly   A host of riders have escaped serious injury after a horrific five-horse fall which marred the Mudgee Cup on Friday.

Heated exchange at cobalt hearing

Patrick Bartley   Jeff Gleeson, senior counsel for Racing Victoria, clashed heatedly with trainer Danny O'Brien in the closing stages of day five of the hearing of cobalt charges on Friday.

McDonald looks to Tarquin's class to carry the day

Chris Roots   Godolphin have found a set weights and penalties for group 1 placed Tarquin to start a summer campaign aimed at raising his rating heading towards the autumn.

How the punt funded the controversial MONA art gallery

Max Presnell   The Museum of Old and New Art owner David Walsh figures Zelkjo Ranojavec, Australia's most successful horse player, has been a major contributor to the controversial gallery.

Snippet Of Hope out to follow in Molan's footsteps in Sydney

Kyle Mackey-Laws   She's making her mark on Sydney, and now Erin Molan is hoping another Canberra girl can make a big impression in the Big Smoke.

Pfieffer believes it's Loy's choice whether he makes it as a jockey

Chris Roots   Warwick Farm trainer David Pfieffer has a nice group of horses in his yard but apprentice Brodie Loy could be the next big thing to benefit from time in the stable.

Bart's Magic trick can undo Kingston Town favourite, says Sigley

Adam Pengilly   Vaughn Sigley has heard all the critics who suggest Black Heart Bart won't run out a strong 1800-metres in the Kingstown Town Classic. He's hoping a maiden group 1 might silence a few.

Cleary set sights on Doomben double

Mark Oberhardt   Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary loves visiting Queensland's Gold Coast but even more so when he has a chance to come away with some big prize money.

Kavanagh irate when swab positive to cobalt: vet

Patrick Bartley   Trainer Mark Kavanagh was "irate" when he learnt that his horse Magicool had returned a positive swab to cobalt, vet Tom Brennan told a racing tribunal on Thursday.

Magic Artist has international record to spoil local party in Perth

Chris Roots   Not since 2009 have the Western Australians been swept by the raiders in their trio of features – the Winterbottom Stakes, Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Classic – but a German in Magic Artist could finish the job at Ascot on Saturday.

Snubbing of Michelle Payne a disgrace

Max Presnell   Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne deserves better treatment.

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Pride strikes form and it's set to continue at Randwick

Chris Roots   There was no panic or need to change things in the Joe Pride stable during his slow start to the season because he had faith that "things always turnaround".